Burris looks back on 'big legacy'

Embraced, ignored and derided, successor of Obama prepares to leave the Senate

October 23, 2010|By Katherine Skiba, Tribune reporter

WASHINGTON — A new Howard University law grad in 1963, Roland Burris packed up the car for Chicago and told his wife that the capital had "too much government." He pledged to come back only for a plum job: senator or vice president.

In the twilight of his career, he got his wish.

On a raw, rainy winter day in early 2009, Burris and his lawyers strode purposefully into the Capitol, where he hoped to be sworn in as a senator. They were swallowed up in a media frenzy, since the seat had been President-elect Barack Obama's and Burris had been appointed by then- Gov. Rod Blagojevich — who was accused of trying to sell the seat.

Burris was turned away by Senate officials that day, but after about a week of wrangling, he was sworn in by Vice President Dick Cheney.

Next month, Burris is expected to leave quietly, ending a 21-month odyssey in which he was, by turn, ostracized, accepted, embraced, rebuked and tolerated, receiving congeniality from some and ridicule from others.

The 73-year-old senator talked with the Tribune late last week about reaching his goal. "It has been a dream come true," he said. "I've been loving every day I've been in Senate."

Asked if he ever harbored an iota of doubt about accepting the appointment from the disgraced Blagojevich, Burris was emphatic.

"Not a question, not a question about it," Burris said. "The right thing to do was get representation for the people of Illinois. He had the authority. He was the governor. And that was it."

Succeeding Obama, Burris is the only African-American Senator of the 111th U.S. Congress. The Senate is expected to have no black members when Burris departs, after the Nov. 2 balloting is certified.

Congress watchers said the controversy clouding his appointment overshadowed all else. One said Burris' value was chiefly as a reliable Democratic vote.

"Obviously, he became an important figure: It was one of those votes needed in many cases to get over the 60-vote margin, and a lot happened," said Norman Ornstein, of the American Enterprise Institute. "But in terms of other stuff he was doing, I never heard anybody talk about him.

"He was there, but he was almost like a Zelig," Ornstein added, referring to the Woody Allen character who could transform himself into anyone he was near.

Burris, though, cites only successes.

"I've had a big legacy in my short period of time," he said, "and feel that I left a very creative and good legacy and contributed to the passing of major legislation."

He pointed to the economic stimulus bill, the health care overhaul, Wall Street reforms and others.

Other highlights of the interview:

— On magazines dismissing him as "Sen. Chuckles" or "clueless": "I'm an old warrior. People are going to criticize you in this business. It goes with the territory."

— On being admonished by the Senate Ethics Committee, which found that he provided "incorrect, inconsistent, misleading or incomplete information" regarding his appointment: "I guess they had to come up with something. But I didn't know what a 'qualified admonishment' is."

— On Obama: "I've defended my president every day. I wish some of your (news media) colleagues would get off his back."

Born into a railroad family in Centralia, Ill., Burris at age 15 helped desegregate a swimming pool there. The experience set his life's trajectory. He first was elected to public office in 1978, as Illinois comptroller, becoming the first African-American to win statewide office. He later served as Illinois attorney general, but lost several other bids for office, including for Senate, governor and Chicago mayor.

Fast-forward to 2009: Burris said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, of California, was first to support his being seated. Sen. Russ Feingold, of Wisconsin, was next, Burris said, noting that, "We've had a great relationship" but flubbing his name by calling him "Ralph" and "Feinberg."

After entering the Senate, Burris found himself unable to raise campaign cash to seek a full six-year Senate term, so within months he took himself out of the running. Now he plans to return to law or lobbying.

House Democrat Bobby Rush, of Chicago, an ally, said Burris was handicapped as a short-timer.

"It takes senators longer than 18 months to get their game legs working properly," Rush said. "Roland just didn't have enough time."

Harvard law professor Charles Ogletree, one of Burris' lawyers and a friend, said the senator showed resilience — and performed admirably — despite "attacks, criticism and setbacks."

He said the taint over the appointment falls to Blagojevich, not to the appointee. He added that a jury has yet to be convinced that the ex-governor tried to sell the Senate seat. Blagojevich has been convicted on a separate count and awaits a new trial on other charges.